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Wildfire threats return, dry and blustery in North Carolina [Video]
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Wildfire threats return, dry and blustery in North Carolina [Video]

The WXII12 News First Warning Weather Team wants you to know about dry and windy weather conditions that will increase the risk of fires along the Blue Ridge Parkway, in the Foothills from North Wilkesboro to Mount Airy and toward the Piedmont Triad. Despite an approaching cold front bringing a slight chance for light snowfall to the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, there will not be enough moisture in the Foothills or Piedmont Triad to compensate for the dry air.The authorities from the North Carolina Forest Service in collaboration with the North Carolina State Climate Office have set the fire danger forecast to a level three of five, High Fire Danger, for the Foothills and Piedmont Triad on Sunday. Areas near the Blue Ridge Parkway have a Moderate Fire Danger level. The risk increases for the Foothills on Monday to a level four, Very High Fire Danger.2024 WILDFIRE TOTALS SO FAR Wildfires have impacted more than 13,894 acres of land in North Carolina in 2024 and more than 3,973 fires were reported according to data gathered by the North Carolina Forest Service personnel in the Wildfire/Emergency Response Situation Report. Some of the fires are prescribed burns while others were started on private land. While these reports do not include fires on federal land, the reports show more than 196 fires were sparked during November. AVOID BURNING THIS WEEKAvoiding outdoor burning and properly extinguishing all smoking materials will help prevent the brush fires that could lead to bigger wildfires. Brush fires occur frequently this time of year as wind transports drier air into the Carolinas. Once a wildfire begins, it may consume thousands of acres of land and endanger people and wildlife as it spreads rapidly. BURNING PERMIT REQUIREDIf you decide to burn yard debris the next few days, please make sure you have a permit and contact your local fire department before burning. It is important to monitor the fire continuously and have fire suppression equipment ready to help extinguish flames immediately. Sparks from backyard fire pits and campfires can be easily be captured in dried ground debris and tree limbs. There is also special information regarding Hurricane Helene debris guidelines.Up to a $25,000 Fine for Violating Burning RegulationsMany communities offer yard waste removal, but those that do not still require a burning permit to be filed prior to burning yard waste. Residents are allowed to burn outdoors for recreational purposes including: campfires, outdoor barbecues, and bonfires on certain coastal beaches. Homeowners can burn yard waste trimmings if it is allowed by their local government and no public removal of yard debris is available. Under North Carolina burning regulations, it is illegal to burn trash and other non-vegetative materials. Leaves, branches and other vegetation can be burned under certain weather and air quality conditions and depending on local ordinances. Violators can be fined up to $25,000 a day.Keep in mind, the North Carolina State Fire Prevention Code also requires that grills with open flames be kept at a minimum of 10 feet from the residence in a vertical/horizontal distance on the ground level. Also, using grills on an enclosed patio or porch is prohibited.Here’s a link to information about how to apply for a burning permit based on your county of residence:NCBurnPermitsThe images of the Grindstone Fire on Pilot Mountain in 2021 were riveting. The Grindstone fire burned more than one thousand acres on Pilot Mountain in North Carolina.It spread quickly from a campfire in a place where campers were not supposed to be building fires. The fire started on Nov. 27 and was finally contained eight days later on Dec. 4. While the NC Forest Service officials say the area recovered quickly with little to no loss of animal life, they credit the prescribed burns that had been performed months earlier for limiting the spread to even more acreage.Candy Griffin shared this incredible aerial view of Pilot Mountain with us on our uLocal North Carolina Facebook group November 30, 2021.WILDFIRE SEASON We typically begin to see a higher frequency of wildfires in North Carolina and Virginia from October through December. This is the time of year we have dry air arriving behind a succession of cold fronts and increased pressure gradients resulting in windy days. A rush of dry air and strong winds often accompany cold fronts. The rapid spread of fires also happens when plentiful dried leaves serve as fuel for wildfires. Gusty, dry winds can quickly carry sparks and create an out-of-control brush fire within minutes.Rain from Hurricane Helene helped delay the onset of worsening drought conditions, but two dry months in row means more favorable conditions for wildfires. Soil conditions are a component of the fire weather forecast as the distribution of rainfall over a given week or several weeks has a big impact. Branches that are near homes or on the forest floor provide additional fuel for wildfires. Exposed, dry wood will burn more easily.Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.DROUGHT EXPECTED TO CONTINUE Rainfall is forecast to be below normal for December. Drought conditions have held steady at abnormally dry conditions during the last two weeks. While our current forecast calls for measurable rainfall chances in about eight to 10 days, drought conditions may worsen before rain arrives. The Drought Monitor is updated weekly on Thursdays.Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscasts What Homeowners Can Do to Protect Their Home from WildfiresAccording to the North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the number of acres of land where homes and communities mix with undeveloped wildland vegetation. This area is also known as the Wildland/Urban Interface, WUI. North Carolina is ranked No. 4 in the nation for the number of homes in the WUI.There are many ways to reduce the risk of wildfires from starting and ways to protect where you call home. Did you know there is even a way to landscape your yard that helps prevent structure damage?The North Carolina Forest Service firefighters share seven ways to minimize home damage with these tips listed below from their ResistWildfireNC.org website:Clear: Clear off pine needles, dead leaves, and anything else that can burn from your rooflines, gutters, decks, porches, patios, and along fence lines. Falling embers will have nothing to burn.Store Away: Store away furniture cushions, rattan mats, potted plants, and other decorations from doors, decks, porches, and patios. These items catch embers and help ignite your home if you leave them outside.Screen & Seal: Wind-blown embers can get into homes easily through vents and other openings and burn the home from the inside out. Walk around your house to see what openings you can screen or temporarily seal.Rake: Embers that land in mulch touching your house, deck, or fence are a big fire hazard. Rake out any landscaping mulch at least 5 feet away from your home.Trim: Trim back any shrubs or tree branches that come closer than 5 feet to your house. Trim any overhanging branches.Remove: Walk around your house and remove anything within 30 feet that could burn, such as woodpiles, spare lumber, vehicles, and boats anything that can act as a large source of fuel.Close: If ordered to evacuate, make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly and seal up any pet doors. Many homes are destroyed by embers entering these openings and burning the house from the inside out.For more information and other homeowner resources, visit ResistWildfireNC.orgResistWildfireNC.orgFor more on how to evacuate during wildfire conditions go here:https://www.usfa.fema.gov/wui/outreach/

Gov. Newsom grants 19 pardons, including to San Quentin ‘Ear Hustle’ podcaster [Video]
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Small Business Funding

Gov. Newsom grants 19 pardons, including to San Quentin ‘Ear Hustle’ podcaster [Video]

On the day before Thanksgiving, California Gov. Gavin Newsom pardoned 19 people, including Walter Earlonne Woods, who was incarcerated in San Quentin when he started a podcast that was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Nebraska Thanksgiving traveling [Video]
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Nebraska Thanksgiving traveling [Video]

A record 72 million Americans are expected to drive at least 50 miles this Thanksgiving, according to AAA Travel. It’s fueled by cheaper gas prices. The Nebraska average for regular unleaded gas is $.33 lower than last year, from $3.09 a gallon in 2023 to $2.76 in 2024.According to AAA, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is one of the worst times to travel.It certainly was unlucky for Marilyn and Wayne Zysset from Hastings.”We were headed to Minnesota, to our daughter and son-in-law’s family, and we shredded a tire about three-quarters of a mile west of here,” Marilyn said.They tried changing the tire on the shoulder of I-80 but couldn’t get the spare to release.”Well, we limped into town and took care of it here in the parking lot,” Wayne said.They called their son-in-law, who lives in Lincoln, to help out.After a few minutes, he was able to free the spare tire. “Check the air before you leave; check the air in your tires,” Marilyn said. “If you have a spare tire on the bottom of your vehicle, take it out every now and again and grease it up,” her son-in-law added.Bruce and Patty Watson were also closely checking the weather before they left Littleton, CO., to spend Thanksgiving with family in Wisconsin.”We left the night before yesterday to beat the snow in Denver. So, we started out early,” Patty said.They haven’t run into any snow so far. But they’ve seen is a lot of traffic and a lot of law enforcement. “There’s a lot of police out,” Patty said. “It makes you feel better, safer. Yeah, people driving a little slower, more responsible, because they know the cops are out there. I mean, you see them all over the place,” Bruce said.Law agencies including the Nebraska State Patrol are using highway safety grants for a “Make It Click” campaign to encourage seat belt use.”Just to make sure everybody makes it home safe for this holiday season,” NSP Trooper Mark White said.White urged travelers to pay attention to traffic and road conditions.”We could get some slick road conditions and everything like that. And, you know, everybody needs to slow down big time,” White said.He said travelers should be prepared for winter conditions, including having enough warm clothing, water and supplies to weather a few hours in the cold. And to keep cell phones charged up.He’d like motorists to remember Nebraska law requires motorists to move over to another lane if possible, for stopped law and emergency vehicles and construction workers on the roadways.”I’ve had three patrol cars struck by people just not in the right spot and not paying attention,” White said.He’d like to make sure everyone, including law officers, can enjoy Thanksgiving.”If I do see somebody getting over for me, yeah, giving them a little, you know, salute and everything like that, saying, Thanks for getting over for me,” White said. So far this year there have been 229 traffic fatalities in the state and 11 so far in November according to the Nebraska Dept. of Transportation.In 2023, there were 207 traffic deaths at this same time.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

Opposition to Plans to Transform Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park [Video]
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Small Business Funding

Opposition to Plans to Transform Chillicothe’s Yoctangee Park [Video]

Chillicothe The Appalachian Community Grant Program is set to change Yoctangee Park drastically in the face of anticipated World Heritage tourism – but some say not for the better.Governor Mike DeWine highlighted a $154 million state investment in Appalachian Ohio in front of Chillicothe’s h

Coffee shop goes viral for offering free coffee to dancing customers [Video]
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Coffee shop goes viral for offering free coffee to dancing customers [Video]

A coffee shop in Massachusetts went viral when it began offering a free coffee to customers who enter the shop while dancing.See customers bust a move in the video aboveDarcy Roberts is the second impromptu dancer through the door of Coffee Milano Cafe on Center Street in Middleborough last Friday.A regular, she is now redeeming her free caramel macchiato.”It was off the cuff. I did that walking move,” Roberts said. “So yeah, it was just fun.”However, Roberts had no idea that video of her dancing would start a trend that many people would join in on.”I thought it was amazing that it took off so well, and so many people come around feeling a sense of happiness and joy,” Roberts said.The buzz was also great for business. The coffee shop’s social media director’s sister, who was the first of all dancers, told NewsCenter 5 that she is now mortified by the exposure.”The first girl danced and she kicked off her shoes, that was hilarious, like how do you think of that?” co-owner Josh Rashid said.”Right now on TikTok, it’s at, I believe, 67 million views,” said social media director Olivia Svenson. “In my head, I thought 80,000 views was going to be viral to me.””So, I can actually dance and get a free coffee it’s not just a gimmick?” Rashid said many people ask him. “I’m like, ‘No, you bust a move, I’m buying your coffee!'”Customers were moved by the trend.”I can’t believe with the response you know,” customer Bob Hadsell said. “It was just everybody having fun, that’s what I saw.””Everyone that comes in is asking us when are we going to do it again,” Svenson said. “Everyone is talking about it. It’s definitely bringing us together.” Rashid said that for two years, he has been feeding community goodwill. He gives shelf space to local artists like Patrick Murphy. His art is for sale at the shop.The dancing has even egged on another small business.At some point on Black Friday, the sign goes up, and they do it all over again. This time, Loan Depot in Norwell has offered to pay for every free coffee. Around 35 were given out last time.